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Bayern birthday experience for boy wonder Kruse

It’s been a month to remember for Bayer Leverkusen striker Robbie Kruse, who celebrated his 25th birthday with an appearance against Bayern Munich at the weekend.

It-s been a month to remember for Bayer Leverkusen striker Robbie Kruse, who celebrated his 25th birthday with an appearance against Bayern Munich at the weekend.

Kruse-s showing off the bench - his sixth Bundesliga appearance of the season - helped cap a remarkable few weeks for the Socceroo lynchpin.

Since last month-s friendly in Brazil, Kruse has scored his first goals for Leverkusen in addition to making his UEFA Champions League debut.

Such experience for one of Australia-s main attacking weapons will be crucial in the lead up to next year-s FIFA World Cup and, hopefully, a telling factor at the Parc des Princes this Friday (Saturday morning AEDT).

“It-s been real exciting since the last Socceroos camp,” said Kruse.

“I feel I-ve played really well for my club and put myself in a good position to warrant selection in the starting eleven.

“I feel I”m getting better and better every day at training, it-s really tough, so hopefully I can transfer that form and the way I-ve been going into the national team.

“It-s going to be another tough test (against France), but I-m sure we can bounce back and hopefully put on a good performance.”

Another Australian showing strong form in Europe is defender Jason Davidson.

Davidson hasn-t featured in a Socceroos squad since February - his solitary cap at senior international level coming a year ago away to Scotland.

However, on the back of eight straight starts for Dutch Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo, the 22-year-old has returned to Socceroo calculations and is eager to make an impression in Paris.

“It-s definitely great to be back with the boys and I-m just looking forward to getting back on the pitch - or, training well and getting on the pitch if I do,” said Davidson.

“I think most important is to train well this week and, if we do get an opportunity to play, try and do as much as you can in the game and show what you can do.

“It-s definitely a challenge (against France), but I think that-s what you look forward to as a footballer, playing against the big teams of the world and against the best players of the world.

“It-ll be a good challenge, but I think we can give it a go and try and get a result.”